AFTERMATH

AFTERMATH

Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao

 

The imposing buildings at Indian Military Academy, the prestigious and world famous Institution no doubt greatly inspires the cadets who undergo training. Sadly they are ignorant of life ahead of them and fate awaiting them. No career in society is nobler than the career in Army, Air force or Navy. But sadly in the current days it has been downgraded. In the melee of civil domination and over enthusiasm, great damage has been done to these Institutions. Yet our officers and men go about their duties in mechanical way sticking to the oath they have taken at the academies. Within few years the cadets who go into life realise the facts. But it is too late. They have to do their best in the circumstances, slog it out only to fade into oblivion unsung and unheard. As some one said, they are fed, housed marginally and spent off as gun fodder.

Chetwode* building at the Indian Military Academy

Standing imposing at the feet of Himalayan Hills

Inspires cadets to greater heights

Who sadly dream of having greater thrills

(* Field Mrashal Philip Lord Walhouse Chetwode,I st Baron Chetwode, 7 th Baronet of oakley GCB, OM,GCSI, KCMG, DSO ( 21 Sept 1989- 6 July 1950)

was a British cavalry officer who became Commander in Chief of Indian Army in India ( 1933).

The Main building at IMA is named after him and the central hall is also named after him where his famous sermon is engraved and is the motto of officers who are commissioned from the academy. The motto is :

""The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time." )

The cadet takes oath that he would die

For the cause of his most beloved nation

Welfare of his men would be the next to the country

As his own welfare is the last and gets his rations

All those retired are found in spin and lost

Personal welfare having been put to the last

Years of service in Army is down the drain

And truth is pungent and plain

Mothers and wives of those who died in wars

Cry in despair as leaders enjoy at bars

The leaders visit the families for a moment brief

And leave them to cry in eternal grief

Blood of soldiers has flown down the land

While rich celebrate weddings with police band

Deep in borders the soldiers toil

While Criminals join politics to only spoil

Indian Army with colonial moorings

Very happy with antiquated misgivings

Generals are happy presiding over their empires

And are totally lost when they finally retire

Sword and baton are now in the locker

While in the kitchen the lady is at the stove

Medals and ribbons are hung at last

In fiery world the General battles with his glove